KEEP A CHEERFUL HEART

Proverbs 17:22

'A cheerful heart is a good medicine but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.'

It is love that brings people out of the tornado’s of life sent by the devil to confuse and cause chaos on the earth.

The devil roams around the world going back and forth, (Job 1:7). He whirls up trouble in people’s lives. And like the dust swirling around a tornado, life has so many things going on, and it spins round so fast, people can’t see their way through, or out of, the storm.

For non believers these times are mind blowing. They will try all sorts of things to change their situation, often failing because they are trying to do it in their own strength when they need God’s.

For our part, criticizing people who are in a bad place does not help. It only shoves them further into the tornado. We should listen patiently, sympathize, offer to help if you can really carry through to the end, (it won’t help if you give up half way through). Don’t force yourself on them, give them room to think. Let them know you feel for them. In effect, love them.

Do it all cheerfully. You don’t have to join them in their depression to sympathize, but if you are cheerful, whatever the situation, they will want to know how you do it.

If they ask where you get your strength from you have an opportunity to say, ‘Jesus.’

When they know you are not going to look down on them, they may begin to trust you, even come to you and ask questions. (Be prepared to answer honestly). Or, they may take a look for themselves when no-one is around. You never know how God will use you. And if they don’t, its up to them. God sees the love you show others and your reward is glorious.

The Psalms are always helpful to me when I feel low. They say so much that I feel, but am sometimes unable to put into words. And worship songs always lift my spirits.

I like this Psalm. It reminds me that God is always there, even if, at that moment, I can’t feel his presence. He never leaves us alone. He is always working for us, and he has two thirds of the myriads of angels working for him - and us. (That is thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand angels – Revelations 5:11).

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Whatever happens in the tornadoes of life, we must not let it take away our hope in Jesus and the promises he gave us. Keep your eyes on your Saviour and he will bring you through it!

This is how I understand my God.

Read for yourself, see what you think.